Homework Help:
Ideal Gas

A monatomic ideal gas has pressure p_1 and temperature T_1. It is contained in a cylinder of volume V_1 with a movable piston, so that it can do work on the outside world.

Consider the following three-step transformation of the gas:

1. The gas is heated at constant volume until the pressure reaches A p_1 (where A >1).
2. The gas is then expanded at constant temperature until the pressure returns to p_1.
3. The gas is then cooled at constant pressure until the volume has returned to V_1.

It may be helpful to sketch this process on the pV plane.

PART A: How much work W_2 is done by the gas during step 2?
Express the work done in terms of p_1, V_1, and A.

PART B: How much work W_3 is done by the gas during step 3?
If you've drawn a graph of the process, you won't need to calculate an integral to answer this question.
Express the work done in terms of p_1, V_1, and A.